Behind Our Name: Why We Chose Merode

A Name Should Mean Something

When we set out to build the future of property management in Belgium, we knew we needed a name that carried weight. Not a clever acronym. Not a made-up word. Something rooted in the very soil of the country we're building for. We chose Merode.

850 Years of Stewardship

The House of Merode is one of Belgium's oldest noble families. For over eight centuries—since Werner de Merode received feudal lands from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1174—the family has been synonymous with one thing: responsible stewardship of property and people.

From their origins near Düren, Germany, the Merode family expanded into what would become Belgium through strategic marriages, eventually becoming one of the most influential houses in the Duchy of Brabant. When we talk about property management, we're talking about a tradition the Merode family has practiced for 850 years.

A Motto That Resonates

Plus d'honneur que d'honneurs — More honor than honors

It's a philosophy that values integrity and substance over superficial recognition. Doing the right thing matters more than being seen to do the right thing. For a company serving professional syndics—people who manage other people's most valuable assets—this philosophy isn't optional. It's essential.

Rooted in Brussels

If you've visited Brussels, you might recognize the name from Merode station—opened in 1976, the first heavy metro station in Brussels. Named after Princess Jean de Mérode, it sits at the crossroads near Parc du Cinquantenaire and some of the most beautiful Art Nouveau architecture in Europe.

The Merode neighborhood embodies the kind of property we're built to manage: elegant architecture, historic buildings, communities worth preserving.

From Clearing Land to Clearing Complexity

The name 'Merode' derives from the German word 'Roden'—meaning to clear forested land. In 1174, Werner de Merode cleared woodland to build a dungeon. Clearing. Simplifying. Making space for something new.

That's exactly what we're doing for property management. Clearing away the administrative complexity. Simplifying the operational burden. Making space for syndics to focus on what actually matters.

A Family That Built Belgium

During the Belgian Revolution of 1830, Frederic of Merode became the first member of the high Belgian nobility killed in the fight for independence. His brother Felix served in the Provisional Government, helping install Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians. In 1930, King Albert I elevated the entire family to princely status.

We're building for Belgium—specifically, for the Belgian property management industry. When we chose a name, we wanted one that honors the country we're building for.

The Work Continues

Today, Prince Simon de Merode manages Westerlo Castle, continuing a family tradition of stewardship. Prince Emmanuel de Merode directs Virunga National Park. And us? We're building AI that helps professional syndics manage Belgian properties with the same integrity the name represents. Different tools. Same purpose. Same honor.